Alston played college football for the East Carolina Pirates as a quarterback, running back, and wide receiver.
[1] After failing to make the Browns' regular season roster in 2003, he was allocated to the Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe, where he became a World Bowl champion.
After starting the 2001 season as a running back, Alston was converted mid-season to a wide receiver, the position in which he would play out the rest of his college and professional careers.
While with the Thunder in 2004, Alston threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Chas Gessner in World Bowl XII.
The trick play, which had Alston line up as a receiver before throwing the ball, helped the Thunder defeat the Frankfurt Galaxy 30–24 to become World Bowl champions.
In training camp, he competed with several other import receivers for a roster spot, including former Denver Broncos player Chris Cole.
[1][20] Alston finished the regular season with seven games played, recording 23 catches for 261 yards and a single two-point conversion.
The deal also sent Nicolas Bisaillon, Timmy Chang, and a draft pick to the Tiger-Cats in exchange for defensive back Jason Goss.